But what has happened over the past couple of decades in the GOP is that even the "best" versions of their beliefs have disintegrated, as the party increasingly rejects the very concept of facts and reasonable debate. The standard-bearer for the modern GOP is Donald Trump, a racist conspiracy theorist who rejects facts as "fake news." Opposing rational discourse in favor of disinformation is what the mainstream Republican Party stands for now. Trying to include them in normal political discussion is like opening a hive of bees at a dinner party. It's just not going to go well. 

-Amanda Marcotte in Salon.com